7/03/2013

Women Have What It Takes



In the United States and around the world, there are far more technology-oriented jobs than candidates to fill them. According to the National Math + Science Initiative (NMSI), jobs in U.S are projected to grow 45 percent between 2008-2018 in computer systems design and related services, a math-intensive field.

Further, a new study from the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program says 20 percent of all jobs in the United States require a "high level of knowledge" in at least one STEM field. Half of these jobs don't even require bachelor's degree, yet they pay $53,000 on average -- 10 percent higher than jobs with similar educational requirements.

Clearly, the computer technology represents a good career choice with strong possibilities for employment and professional growth. Yet, it appears that this message isn't reaching a broader audience of women.

NMSI reports that men over age 25 held 87 percent of bachelor's degrees in engineering fields. Only 23 percent of workers in STEM-related jobs are women, yet women make up 48 percent of workers in all occupations. The higher you go on the corporate ladder, the lower these numbers become. According to a report by the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT), women held just 9 percent of IT management positions and accounted for only 14 percent of senior management positions at Silicon Valley startups.      Read more:  

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